Josephinum honors Bishop McKnight, Karam with awards

The Pontifical College Josephinum bestowed its highest honor on Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of Jefferson City, Missouri on April 15, presenting him the Good Shepherd Award during its annual Good Shepherd Dinner, the seminary’s signature fundraising event held in the Jessing Center on campus.

The Josephinum also presented the Pope Leo XIII Award to J. David Karam, a parishioner at Columbus St. Agatha Church and chief executive officer of Sbarro, a leading quick-service pizza restaurant chain.

The Good Shepherd Award is presented to a member of the clergy who exemplifies, in his life and ministry the qualities of a good shepherd. The award especially recognizes the clergyman’s promotion of vocations and support of the Josephinum and its seminarians.

Bishop McKnight, a 1994 graduate of the Josephinum, serves on the college’s Board of Trustees. He previously served as executive director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

He was ordained to the Diocese of Wichita, Kanas, where he first served as a parish priest and pastor. He returned to the Josephinum in 2003 to serve in various capacities, including as vice president for development and alumni relations. He was installed as the fourth bishop of Jefferson City in 2018.

Father Steven Beseau, the rector and president of the Josephinum, recognized Bishop McKnight as a “tremendous gift” to the Church and an “inspiration” to all who work there. The two – both Kansas natives – first met while studying in Rome.

“Bishop McKnight’s connectedness to the Josephinum, his knowledge of the Church in the United States due to his work with the USCCB and his particular interest in the permanent diaconate have all been tremendous gifts to the Josephinum,” Father Beseau said.

Accepting the Good Shepherd Award, Bishop McKnight told the audience of seminarians, clergy, alumni, benefactors and guests that he is an introvert. As such, he said, he would not want to accept the award, except for the mission of the Church and the House of Joseph, the Josephinum.

Bishop McKnight reflected on the relationship between the clergy and laity and the laity’s important role in the life of the Church. He acknowledged Popes St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis, who each touched on the theme during their pontificates.

He recalled the words of the late Pope Benedict XVI, who said the laity have an obligation to take up the life of the Church. They are an essential part of the Church’s mission.

Bishop McKnight noted that the priesthood and laity are not exclusive of each other. He contemplated how lay people can be more involved in the Church.

The bishop also recognized three seminarians from his diocese who are studying at the Josephinum. 

Seminarians studying at the Josephinum come from several dioceses across the United States as well as dioceses in Uganda and the Virgin Islands and two religious communities.

Bishop McKnight said he appreciates his seminarians’ formation at the Josephinum. In seminary, there are four dimensions of priestly formation: human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral.

The Pope Leo XIII Award given to Karam recognized his support of the Josephinum and priestly vocations. It is one of the two highest honors bestowed by the college.

The award is named after Pope Leo XIII. The Church’s oldest pope, who died at age 93, granted pontifical status to the Josephinum in 1892, making it the only pontifical seminary outside of Italy.

A member of the college’s Board of Trustees since 2015, Karam offered direction and vision to the seminary in areas of finance and advancement. He previously was president of Wendy’s International and president and vice president of finance at Cedar Enterprises, one of the largest franchisees in the Wendy’s system.

He also serves on the board of American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, the fundraising arm of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Father Beseau recognized Karam as one of perhaps five people who have made a life-long impact on him.

He described him as a leader who is known for his compassion and patience, noting Karam’s desire to grow in faith and habit of daily prayer.

Father Beseau also recognized him as a man who gives generously and has much wisdom to share. The Josephinum’s rector iterated that Karam has made a “tremendous impact” on the seminary.

“The Josephinum has been a very grateful beneficiary of Mr. Karam’s business expertise and his passion for the Church,” Father Beseau said. “He is a gifted visionary – always looking to the future to see what is possible.

“Not only does he see an incredible future for the Josephinum, he is tireless in his efforts to help us realize that future.”

Accepting the Pope Leo XIII Award, Karam spoke of the importance of leadership. He said he taught his children that leadership counts and leadership matters, whether it is in the home, a parish, seminary or diocese. 

He added that serving on the Josephinum’s board has blessed him.

Karam also reflected on what he described as one of the most beautiful Bible passages in Genesis chapter 18. In the passage, God plans to destroy the city of Sodom because of its great sin.

Abraham offers a prayer of intercession, pleading with God not to destroy the righteous along with the wicked in the city. He asks God if He would save Sodom if there were 40 righteous people. 

Abraham continues subtracting until he reaches 10. He asks God if He would spare the city if 10 righteous people are found there. God promises to have mercy if there are only 10 innocent men.

Karam said the passage demonstrates how fine the line is between a just, civil society and one that is chaotic.

Sean and Ashley McBride Taylor, who live in Dublin with their five children, served as masters of ceremonies for the evening. They shared how the Josephinum and its seminarians have impacted their young family. 

The Taylors are members of the Friends of the Josephinum, a group of lay men and women who raise funds to assist seminarians with financial needs. 

The group hosts an annual Friends of the Josephinum 4-miler run/walk and Clergy Who Cook culinary competition. The Friends support seminarians at the Mud Bowl & Helfant Classic Basketball Tournament and gather for an annual brunch and Mass in the Josephinum’s St. Turibius Chapel.

The family was first invited to the annual Mass and brunch a few years ago, shortly after moving to Columbus. They were introduced to many of the seminarians. 

Since then, Ashley said, their family has a renewed hope in the unity and strength of the Catholic Church.

“These men are our future; they will be our shepherds, and we are beyond blessed to encounter them during their time here at home, at the Josephinum,” she said.

Ashley unveiled how involvement with the Josephinum has impacted her family. She highlighted the seminarians’ positive influence on their children.

“These seminarians have not only befriended our family but are actively teaching our sons how to be prayerful servants of God, how to discern on an ongoing basis and how to lead as true men should lead, even in a world that is working so strongly in opposition of our faith,” Ashley said.

“To our daughters, these seminarians have shown incredible kindness, intentional care and genuine concern.”

The evening included a vocal performance by seminarians Deacon Joseph Rolwing, Zachary Goodchild and Brandt Boyden. Dr. Jason Keefer, the Josephinum’s director of sacred music, led the choral trio in performing “Sancte Joseph,” “Be Joyful, Mary, Heavenly Queen” and “Regina Caeli.”

The audience prayed the Angelus, led by seminarian Deacon Tyler Carter. Bishop Richard Henning of Providence, Rhode Island, chair of the Josephinum’s Board of Trustees, offered a prayer of benediction to conclude the evening.